As a parent, you want the best for your baby. However, when making a baby registry, it is best to avoid including just about every baby product in the market, and pick just the essentials. This ensures that your baby has what he/she needs, and you do not end up receiving duplicates and needless gifts.
Quick Tip
It is a good idea to register both online and in-store. While certain things can be bought online, there are other more expensive and bulky items, like car seats, which need to be tested before buying.
With the baby paraphernalia around, planning a baby registry can be a tough task, especially if you are doing it the first time. Most parents tend to include a whole lot of (mostly useless) baby stuff in the registry, which they end up throwing out or donating to charity.
Moreover, babies are really picky, so all the expensive bottles and blankets you get would probably be wasted if your child does not like it. So, what do you do? Well, the answer is to stock up on the essentials, and narrow down your options. Instead of trying to pick up every baby product in the market, choose the essentials which a baby will use. It is also a good idea to list the number of items you want, especially the clothes. It is useless to stock up too many baby onesies or socks, which your baby will outgrow in a couple of months. Moreover, you do not need every baby gear out there. To help you out with choosing the best for your baby, here is a list of baby registry must-haves. The list is sorted into nursery, baby gear, feeding, diapering, clothing, and heath essentials for the baby.
Baby Registry Checklist
Nursery
▣ Crib
▣ Crib mattress and waterproof mattress pad
▣ Fitted crib sheets
▣ Swaddle blankets
▣ Sleep sacks
▣ Changing table and changing pad
▣ Bassinet/Moses basket
▣ Baby monitor
▣ Nightlight
▣ Storage bins
Baby Care
▣ Baby bathtub
▣ Baby bath towels and wash clothes
▣ Massage oil
▣ Shampoo and body wash
▣ Body lotion
▣ Grooming kit (contains nail clippers, brush, and scissors)
▣ Soft-bristled baby brush
Baby Feeding
▣ Breastfeeding pillow
▣ Breast pump
▣ Breast milk storage bags
▣ Burp cloths
▣ Nipple creams
▣ Formula milk
▣ 4 to 5 bibs
▣ Baby bottles
▣ Bottle brushes
▣ Drying rack
▣ High chair
▣ Pacifiers
Baby Health and Safety
▣ Nasal aspirator
▣ Digital thermometer
▣ Humidifier
▣ First aid kit
▣ Baby gates
▣ Drawer locks
▣ Faucet cover
▣ Safety plugs
▣ Pacifier
Baby Gear
▣ Car seat
▣ Baby carrier
▣ Stroller
Clothing
▣ 10 to 12 bodysuits
▣ 10 to 12 baby onesies
▣ 10 pull-on pants
▣ 2 baby gowns
▣ 4 to 5 side-snap shirts
▣ 10 pairs of socks
▣ 3 to 4 caps, mittens, and booties
▣ 4 to 5 outer layers
Diapering
▣ Disposable diapers (Up to 8 lbs.)
▣ Cloth diapers
▣ Baby wipes
▣ Diaper creams
▣ Diaper pail and refills
▣ Diaper bags
Entertainment
▣ Bouncer seat or swing (you do not need both)
▣ Play mat
▣ Activity center
▣ 4 to 5 infant toys
▣ Teethers
▣ 3 to 4 books
▣ DVDs
This list may not be comprehensive, but it does cover all the essentials that the baby would need during the first few years. It allows first-time parents to figure out what they should put on their baby registry to help them prepare for their bundle of joy. You can register at brick and mortar stores or online stores such as amazon, buybuy BABY, or Babies”R”US. Do not fall for the hype or feel pressured to register for everything you might possibly need. Do your research, read customer reviews, and talk to other parents before you walk into a baby store to register.
